Tray-operating mechanism for compartments



Feb. 24, 19 1. o, M, TT 1,793,955

TRAY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR COMPARTMENTS Filed Aug. 30. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l i 1 0 I I z I l Ql -o 1 l l 1 Q 1 M Q: vn k 1, ,4

'INVENTOR Feb. 24, 1931. o. M. OTTE 1,793,955

TRAY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR COMPARTMENTS Filed Aug. 30, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m'mzggjn 7 5 91mm Feb. 24, 1931. m 1,793,955

TR AY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR COIPARTMENTS Filed Aug. 50, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Feb. 24, 1931. o. M. OTTE TRAY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR COMPARTMENTS Filed Aug. 30, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES OTHO I. OTTE, TARENTUI, PEHNSYLVAIFIA.

TKAY-OPER-ATIN G IECHANIBI FOR COKPABTIE'NTS Application filed August so, was. Serial Ilo. seam.

This invention'relates to stoves and more particularly to the construction of a stove compartment such, for example, as a broiler or oven, although it will be'a parent that the invention is broadly applicable to compartments generally and is not necessarily limited in its applicatlon to stove compartments.

An 0 ject of the invention is to provide for automatically moving trays, drawers, or the like, into or out of their associated compartments in response to moving a. door for the compartments to open or closed positions.

Another object of the invention is to rovide for moving trays, drawers, or the like,

' into or out of their associated compartments by mechanical means.

A further object of the invention is to rovied for moving trays, drawers, or the ike, into or out of their associated compartments in such a manner that the trays, drawers, or the like, will accelerate gradually to a predetermined speed upon the opening of a compartment door and then gradually decclerate and come to a sto when the door has reached approximately its full open position.

A still further obj eet of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism of the character set forth that can be applied to stoves "or compartments already in use.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism for trays, drawers, and the like, that shall be simple in construction, economical to manufacture and easilyinstalled.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a partial view in perspective of an oven compartment provided with tray operating mechanism arranged and constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a'partial top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1, the door being closed and the tray in position within the oven compartment;

Fig. 3 is a partial front view of the device shown in Fig. 2, the door being removed;

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of the tray Fig. 7 is a side view in elevation of the oven compartment shown in Fig. 6.

Throughout the several figures of the drawlngs and the specification it is to be understood that like reference characters indicate like parts.

In the drawings, an oven compartment is illustrated that comprises side walls 1 and 2, a back wall 3 and a door 4 disposed at the front of the compartment. In accordance with usual construction the door 4 may be hinged to the bottom of the oven compartmentas shown. h

The side walls 1 and 2 may be provided with a member 5 having a plurality of lateraly extending parallel ledges 6 for receiving si e members 7 of a frame comprising the side members 7 and the cross members 8 and 9. The side members 7 may be of channel shape in order that a tray 10 may he slidably disposed in the channel of the side members. In order that the tray 10 may move freely in the channels of the side members 7 the front cross member 8 is bent downward- 1y at the ends as shown in the drawings thereby providingsufiicient clearance between the lowermost extremity of the tray and the cross member.

Since the frame is slidably disposed upon the ledges 6 of the members 5, and since the tray 10 is slidably disposed in the channels of the side members 7, the frame and the tray may be moved simultaneously either partially or entirely out of the oven, or the tray may be moved relative to the frame and the side walls of the compartment by maintaining the frame stationary in any predetermined position.

It may, therefore, be said that the frame and the tray 10 are disposed to move telescopically with respect to each other orsimultaneously with reference to the side Walls of the oven compartment.

Since it is highly desirable to have tray constructions for oven compartments of such a character that the tray may be moved entirely out of the oven for the purpose of inspecting foods which are being cooked or broiled in the compartment while still maintaining the tray supported in its proper position without the necessity of the operator holding the tray by his or her hands, the frame is so constructed that itmay be moved partially out of the oven to such an extent that it will be self-supporting by means of the side members? and the ledges 6. The tray 10 may then be moved completely out of the oven, or as far, out as is necessary because the tray will be supported by the frame.

In order that telescopic movement of the frame and the tray 10 may be effected in response to movement of the door 4 to either closed or open position, a tray and frame operating mechanism is provided that comprises link 11, lever 12 and links 13 and 14. One end of the link 11 is bent at substantially right angles and disposed in a hollow support or loop 16 that is secured to the back wall 3 of the oven compartment. The other end of the link 11 is also bent at substantially right angles and is journaled in a hearing 17 disposed in one end of the lever 12. As shown the lever 12 is pivotally mounted medially of its ends upon the cross member 9,

as indicated at 18. In order that a link ofgreater length than the link 11 may be employed, the lever 12 is provided with a bearing 19 disposed at the extreme end thereof.

The lever 12 may be of any suitable construction, but for the present purpose it may be constructed from a flat piece of sheet metal and so shaped by pressing or stamping that the right-hand end portion is provided with an upwardly extending flange 21 and a depending flange 22, and that the left-hand end portion is provided with an upwardly extendin flange 23 and a depending flange 24. As shown the flange 23 is oppositely disposed with respect to the upwardly extend- 111g flange 21, and similarly the depending flange 24 is oppositely disposed with reference tothe depending flange 22. By this construction the turning movement of the lever 12 is limited by the upwardly extending flanges 21 and 23 because these flanges will strike against the cross member 9 when in one or the other of its extreme positions.

One end of the link 13 is bent at substantially right angles and journaled in a bearing 26 mounted on the upwardly extending flange 23 of the lever 12. The other end of the link 13 is also bent at substantially right angles and is journaled in an aperture or comprise a strip of sheet metal bent or folded about the link 11, the meeting ends of which may be riveted or otherwise securedtogether end or edge as indicated at 29. The link 14 extends through the folded ends of the member 28 and is held in place by means of a cotter pin 30. The other end of the link 14 is pivotally mounted or journaled in a member 32 secured to the door adjacent thebottom edge thereof, but at a distance above the hinges of the door suflicient to impart the necessary movement of the link 14 to permit proper operation of the tray and frame operating mechanism which comprises the link 11, the lever 12 and the links 13 and 14. i

If it be assumed that the oven compartmentis. in operation, that is, foods are beingeither broiled or cooked, the food is placed in a tra 10 in the usual manner, the

the back wall 3. As the link 11 swings towards the back wall 3, the frame and the tray are moved towards the interior of the oven and as the rack approaches its proper position in the oven, the lever 12 turns on its pivot in a clockwise direction until it assumes a position substantially coinciding with the cross member 9 of the frame.

In response to the turning of the. lever 12 in a clockwise direction the tray 10 is pulled inwardly by the link 13. As the tray 10 moves inwardly the link 13 is caused to turn in a counter-clockwise direction. When the door 4 is in its closed position the tray 10 and the frame are positioned within the oven.

Upon opening the door 4 the link 14 pulls outwardly thereby causing the links 11, 13 and the lever 12 to be extended and the frame and tray 10 are moved telescopically until they assume the relative positions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and also as shown by the extended position of the links in Fig. 4. From the above description of the operation of the tray and frame operating mechanism, it is apparent that the tray 10 may be moved into and out of the oven in response to the movement of the door to closed and open position without the necessity of the operator touching the tray with his or her hands.

In order that the frame and tray operating mechanism may be caused to function properly, irrespective of the particular ledges 6 upon which the frame may be supported, a plurality of supports 16 are provided in ly its last one-third open position, the frame staggered relation, as shown'in Fig. 5 of the drawings. 7 The several sup orts 16 are so positioned that they are in su tantially the same hori- 5 zontal plane as the several ledges 6 of the members 5. Therefore, the frame '10 may be raised or lowered in the oven compartment according to requirements and the link 11 may be 10urnaled in the proper support 16 de ending upon the position of the frame.

11 the operation of trays adapted for ovens or compartments of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, it is often desirable that the tray 10 be accelerated gradually upon the opening of the door and decelerated gradually as the door approaches its full open position. Such movement of the tray is desir able when foods containing an appreciable amount of liquid are bein cooked in pans disposed on the tray in or er to avoid spilling of the liquid. The particular tray operating mechanism shown in the drawings is adapted to effect movement of the tray 10 in accordance with a simple harmonic motion or an approximation of such motion.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing the operating mechanism for the frame and tray 10 has been so modified that a simple harmonic motion of the tray 10 may be obtained in response to the opening or closing of the door. The construction of the modification of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 6 is substantially similar to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, except for the addition of a poster member 34 that is mounted on the door and extends at substantially right angles from the plane containing the inside face of the door. The link 14 is journaled at the outer end of the post 34,'as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 When the door is in open position as shown in Fig. 6 and it is'desired to close the door and move the tray and frame into the oven or compartment, the tray and frame are accelerated slowly as the door closed position. As the door moves through approximately its second or two-thirds closed position, the frame and the tray are caused to move at a relatively high speed, but as the door moves through its last, or approximateand rack are decelerated uniformly and brou ht to a complete stop in the oven when A the" nor is in its final closed position. i The post 34 swings through an arc of a circle, the center of which lies in the hinges'of the door; therefore, the longitudinal movement of-the link 14 varies in speed in accordance with the speed of the projection of the ple harmonic motion; therefore, the moveswings through approximately its one-third.

end of the post 34 upon a horizontal plane ments for stoves, it will be readily understood that this type of mechanism may be applied to-any application, where it is desired to utilize a tray, pan, or the like, that has telescopic relation with a frame that is disposed for mounting in any ty e of compartment. In adapting the type of tray operating mechanism to other ty s of compartments, other than ovens, it wilflie apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made in the invention in accordance with the particular requirements of the application without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. It is therefore desired that only such limitations shall be placed on the invention as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is a 1. In combination, a compartment provided with a back wall, a door opening and a door disposed to either close or open said opening, a frame movably supported in the compartment comprising side members, back cross member and a front cross member,

a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the back cross member, a link having one end pivotally mounted on the back wall and the other end pivotally mounted on one end of said lever, and a link pivotally connecting the door and the first-named link.

2.. In an oven provided with a door, in combination, a frame movably dis osed in the oven, a tray movably disposed 1n the frame, link mechanism attaching said frameto the back wall of said oven and said tray to said frame, and means on said door for operating said link mechanism for effecting movement of the frame and tra partially out of the oven and movement 0 the tray partially out of the frame when said door is moved to its open position.

3. In an oven provided with a door, in combination, a frame movably disposed in the oven, :1 tray lnovably disposed in the frame, folding link mechanism connecting said frame to the back wall of said oven and said tray to said frame, and means operable by the door when moved to its open position for expending said link mechanism for effecting movement of the frame and tray partially out of the oven and telescopic movement of the tray and frame.

4. The combination with a compartment, of a 'frame and tray disposed for telescopic movement relative to each other, means for supporting the frame in the compartment, and a series of links movably connecting said frame and tray together and movably con necting the frame to a wall of the compartmeut, said links being disposed to effect movement of the tray andframe relative to the support and telescopic movement of the tray andframe.

5. The combinationwith a compartment having side and b ack walls and dodr disposed to open or close,the front ofcthe compartment, of a frame and tray disposed for telesco ic movement relative to each other, means for supporting the tray and frame in the compartment, a series of links connecting said, tray, frame and back wall together, and means operable by the door to actuate said links to thereby effect movement ofthc tray and frame relative to the supporting means and telescopic movement of the tray and frame.

6. In combination, a compartment having aback wall, a supporting ledge on each side wall and a door in the front of the compartment, a frame slidably disposed on said ledges,-a lever pivotally mounted at the rear of the frame, a link having one end pivotally secured to the back wall and the other end pivotally secured to one end of the lever, a.

tray slidably disposed in the frame, a link having one end pivotally connected to the other end of the lever and its other end piv-v otally connected to the tray, and a link connecting the link mounted on the back wall and lever to the door.

ment of the frame;

relative to the frame in response to move- .10. In combination, a compartment, having side and back walls and an open front disposed to be closed by a door, a frame slidabl disposed in the com artment, av tray sli ably disposed in the ame, means for moving the frame into and out of the compartment, and means for effecting telescopic movement of the tray relative to the frame in response to movement of the frame.

11. In combination, supporting means, a

frame disposed for movement on the supporting means, a tray movabl disposed on the; frame, means for moving the tray a redetermined distancein one direction, and 'nk mechanis1n disposed to move the tray telescopically with reference to the frame in response to movement of the frame.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th day of August,

" J Y OTHO M. OTTE.

7. The combination with spaced supports,

a frame movably disposed on the supports, and a tray movably disposed in theframe, of a lever pivoted medially of its end on one end of the frame, a link having one end pivotally disposed on one end of the lever and its other end pivotally disposed on the tray, another link having one end pivotally disposed on the other end of the lever and its other end pivotally disposed in a stationary support, and means for actuating the lastmentioned link about its stationary pivot to effect either elon ation or a folding of the links and lever w ereby the'tray and frame are moved telescopically with respect to each other and along the support.

8. In combination, an oven having side and back walls and a door in the front thereof, a

frame slidably disposed on the supporting ledges, a tray slidably disposed in the frame, and link mechanism operatively connecting the back wall, frame tray and door disposed to effect telescopic movement of frame and tray into or out of the oven in response to movement of the door when closed or opened.

9. In combination, a compartment, having side and back Walls and an open front disposed to be closed bya door, a frame slidably dlsposed in the compartment, a tray slidably disposed in the frame, means for moving the frame into and out of the compartment, and means for effecting movement of the tray Inn 

